Peripheral blood regulatory T cell measurements correlate with serum vitamin D levels in patients with multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2009 Aug 18;213(1-2):135-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.05.012. Epub 2009 Jun 17.

Abstract

Vitamin D has been associated with a decreased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, serum 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1, 25-(OH)2 vitD) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vitD), regulatory T cell percentages and naïve and memory T helper cell subsets were measured in 26 patients with multiple sclerosis, 21 who were not on treatment with disease modifying therapy. These studies showed an inverse correlation between 25-OH vitD levels and Treg cell percentages and a direct correlation between Treg cell percentages and 1, 25-(OH)2 vitD:25-OH vitD ratios. In addition, 25-OH vitD levels correlated directly and 1, 25-(OH)2 vitD:25-OH vitD ratios correlated inversely with CXCR3+ naïve T helper cell percentages and CXCR3+naïve:CXCR3+ memory T helper cell ratios. All together, these data demonstrate that vitamin D measurements can reflect measures of immune status among patients with MS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 / analysis
  • 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 / blood
  • Adult
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / analysis
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / analysis
  • Vitamin D / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • CXCR3 protein, human
  • Receptors, CXCR3
  • Vitamin D
  • 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D